Q: How much progress has been made in promoting the new style?
A, I feel the momentum and I think the time I have the ball has become longer compared to last season, so I think the state after having the ball is getting better and better.
Q, I don't think it's that easy for the whole team to adapt as the style changes, but I feel like there is a sense of speed and change in the opening game. How do you feel as a player?
A, I think there will be wins and losses in the game, but I also think that we are clearly growing. Even when we lose a little, I think there will be voices saying "What's going on?", but that's just natural, and I feel that there is no point if we don't keep going. I think we have to persevere and keep going.
Q, last season was used as a double pivot, but this season you are being used as an anchor. How do you feel about the change in role within the different styles?
A, Although the formation and coach have changed, I think the role changes significantly just by changing the coach, so it's not necessarily because the formation has changed. I have the same feeling as last season, so when it comes to the discussion of why the coach and formation have changed and the starting members haven't changed much, I think it's because everyone is able to play while feeling it during the actual game.
Q, Aoki's position is one that both takes action towards what we want to do and reacts to the opponent's movements at the same time. How do you feel about controlling the team while assessing the situation?
A, there are some parts that have been prepared relatively well in practice, and there are also some parts that are a little different from what we have been doing in practice. However, I think we have been able to make adjustments during the game, and in the current situation, we have grown a lot in terms of bringing the ball from the back. I hope we can focus more on scoring goals.
Q, Matsuki and Abe were quite active, I think. What kind of communication did you have with them?
A, that's also the feeling of adapting when entering the game. In the end, it's a good story if you're in that position, so no matter how much you move, for example, if someone is in that position, it's good. The player in that position has a lot of physical activity and is aggressive both in attack and defense, so I'm focused on balancing that out.
Q, I think that balance is difficult.
A, I'm not sure if I'm doing it somehow or not, but I'm conscious of making the game go well.
Q, As we head into the second half, the amount of time we possess the ball has increased. Our challenge will be to create as many finishing opportunities as possible in the attacking zone and improve our accuracy. As for Aoki's position, what aspects will be involved in this challenge?
A, I think there are few situations where I get involved in the final pass or shot by entering the goal area, but it is a part that the players behind, including myself, need to do to increase that number, so I hope we can increase the number of times we enter the front and connect to the front.
Q, is it a play to connect to the front line and push up to recover the second ball?
A, yes. If we can attack multiple times when we push in, I think the opponent will also be uncomfortable, so it's really important to manage the risk, not just for me but also for the center back and side back. It would be great if we could continue to create situations where we can take the ball quickly. It's not just about switching between offense and defense, but also about the speed of switching for the players in the front line. It would be ideal if the whole team could think ahead instead of just focusing on bringing the ball from the back.
Q, do you want to go to that phase in the second half?
A, of course I want to go fast. After all, I'm playing this soccer to win. If I don't take it to win, it doesn't make sense to do it, right?
